Chapter 3 Segment 1 Of the Sentient She Shed
The desk didn’t creak.
It didn’t rattle or groan.
It simply… opened.
A drawer slid forward, slow and quiet, like it had been waiting for her. Inside, nestled in velvet, was a scroll. Not blank. Not sealed. Already unfurling.
Lila leaned in.
The parchment glowed faintly, etched with soft blue ink. Not words. Not instructions. A map.
Rooms she’d seen. Rooms she hadn’t. Paths that twisted like questions. Paw prints trailed from one space to another—some familiar, some leading into the unknown.
She traced a line with her finger. It pulsed gently.
The mouse climbed onto the desk, spectacles fogged from excitement. It pointed to a symbol shaped like a leaf.
The Byte Garden.
Another symbol shimmered—a teacup with whiskers.
The Whisker Lounge.
Lila smiled.
The flash drive blinked once, then rolled to the edge of the desk, waiting.
The map didn’t tell her what to do.
It simply showed her what was possible.
Prompt for readers: We would love it if you left a comment below, either an answer to the question or about whether or not you are liking the story.
If a map showed you where you’ve been and where you might go, what would you hope to find?